Saturday, 8 October 2016

1920s Buxton in Colour

Buxton in the 1920s

In the foreground is the Samuel Turner Memorial Drinking fountain erected in 1878 in memory of a local benefactor.

On
the left are The Slopes, public gardens laid out in 1818 by Jeffry
Wyatville for the 6th Duke of Devonshire. Joseph Paxton made a number of
alterations in the 1850s. In front of the Slopes can be seen some bath
chairs, at one time a popular conveyance in the town.

Behind the
glass collonade on the right is the Thermal Baths, designed by Henry
Currey architect to the Duke of Devonshire and opened in 1854. Since
1987, this has been the Cavendish Arcade, a shopping centre housing an
array of independent retailers.

The bus is a Tilling Stevens of
the North Western Road Car Company. This operator was formed in 1923 and
took delivery of the first vehicles from that manufacturer the
following year.

Prominent in the picture is The Crescent,
finished in 1789 to the design of John Carr for the 5th Duke. The
Crescent is currently undergoing a major renovation and on completion
will re-open as an hotel. Opposite is the Pump Room where visitors to
Buxton “Took The Waters”. In the background is the Old Hall Hotel.
Originally a four storey tower, the Hall was built in 1573 by Bess of
Hardwick. Mary, Queen of Scots was housed there on several occasions
in the 1570s on order of Elizabeth 1st. Rebuilt in 1670 by the first
Duke, it became an hotel in 1727 and still serves that purpose.

Buxton Opera House in 1923.

Built in 1903, it was designed by
Britain’s most prolific theatre architect, Frank Matcham. It was
converted in 1927 for cinema use and extensively refurbished in 1979. In
the left foreground is the entrance to The Conservatory, part of the
complex of buildings that face the Pavillion Gardens. This structure was
built in 1870 to the design of Edward Milner.

On the right hand
side is The Old Clubhouse, a pub and restaurant. It was built in 1886
as a gentlemen’s club and continued in that role until the mid 1980s.

The
tower in the background is that of St. John The Baptist Parish Church.
Built in 1811 to the design of John White it was the final project of
the 5th Duke of Devonshire who died just after its completion.

The Pump Room, Buxton c1920.

This elegant building was opened
in 188,9 a gift to the town from the Duke of Devonshire. Here, one could
sample the mineral waters for a penny a glass. The Pump Room is
currently being restored and will re-open as a tea room where once again
visitors will be able to “take the waters”.

These three photographs have all been digitally colourised from black and white originals.

About The Society

We research and record Furness Vale's past. An archive of documents, maps and photographs is maintained by Chairman George Tomlinson, a product of many years research. We hold meetings on the first Tuesday of each month except July and August. A guest speaker usually presents an illustrated talk of local or regional interest. Membership is available at an annual fee of £5.
For further information contact David Easton 01663 744080 furnesshistory@gmail.com